I was forced to agree as I stared at the player’s newly formed black wings. They were relatively small, hardly enough to be used for flying, but they were still impressive and had sharp hooks at the end.
Nero stretched, spreading his new wings. “I am reborn.”
“And it looks like you picked up some extra limbs along the way,” I commented.
He nodded. “It was a reward for staying true to my nature.”
“But …” I hesitated. “You kinda lost. That goblin boss killed you.”
“It doesn’t matter. A dragon never shies from a challenge. I followed my true nature, and it manifested itself in return.”
“Does that mean you’ll keep getting more draconic features as you continue that path?” I asked. “Will you eventually turn into a full dragon?”
He shrugged. “I do not know. Perhaps. Or perhaps I’ll simply gain the fearsome properties of my ancestors.”
He needs to get back out to reality before he loses too much of himself, I replied darkly. They all do.
The half-dragon and I walked out of the cemetery and into the main chamber. The other players were already waiting for us, looking excited.
“What’s up?” I asked Malkyr.
“Dude, do you realize what we just did?”
“Took over a small goblin clan?”
He shook his head. “Apart from that. We just led squads of mobs and won!”
“Well, that sorta was the plan.” I didn’t know what he was getting at.
“What he’s trying to say,” Kyth said, “is that we proved it could be done, and we received a significant amount of XP with relative ease.”
“And with much less pain than usual,” Aly added.
“Don’t you see?” Malkyr said excitedly. “We’ve discovered a really good way to gain levels. We just need to lead our own squads in battle.”
“You did a great job,” I said. “I can’t control all the soldiers on my own too well, and that sometimes leads to mistakes that cost lives.” I briefly recalled that time when Raystia booby-trapped our walls and killed nearly half my forces with one explosion. At the time, my lieutenant had noticed something was wrong but didn’t have the autonomy to do something about it. A player would have possibly acted faster and avoided the disaster. “How about we make it official?” I looked at the excited players. “Does everyone want to sign on as officers in my army?”
“I don’t know.” Malkyr gave me a big grin. “What rank are we talking about? I’m okay with being a field marshal.”
His sister elbowed him in his side. “You’ll be lucky to get sergeant.”
“I will join you on your conquests,” Nero said. “But my place is at the forefront of the battle, along with the other warriors.”
“Hell, I’m in,” Aly said.
The others nodded in agreement.
“Alright,” I declared. “Then I hereby nominate you as squad leaders in my monster army.”
I’d meant that as a joke, but as if on cue, all the players’ eyes lost focus, reading notifications only they could see.
“What is it?” I asked when some of them turned to look at me, smiling.
Malkyr chuckled. “You just granted us all the Squad Leader skill, Chief. It’s a pretty sweet one too – adds combat bonuses to our squads.”
“Alright, squad leaders, it’ll be morning soon,” I said. “Spend the day here then head back to Goblin’s Gorge. I trust you to bring your squads back safely.”
“Piece of cake,” Malkyr boasted. “Nothing in this forest is going to attack a force as strong as ours.”
“Actually, I want you to look for trouble on your way back.” I gave him a toothy grin. “I want you to do everything possible to level up the soldiers – hunt down any hostile mob you think you can take on. The squad that gains the most levels by the time they get back to the clan gets a special reward.”
One of the players I hadn’t spoken to yet cracked his knuckles. “Nothing like a little competition to bring out the best in people. I’m up for the challenge.”
Hoshisu narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you going to be doing in the meantime?”
With the settlement conquered, I could feel Nihilator’s dark influence expanding all around us. I motioned for Lirian to approach and put a hand on her shoulder. Then I smirked at the white-haired player. “I’ve got a lot of stuff to do back at the clan, so I’m going to use a shortcut. Enjoy your trekking.”
Then I summoned my mana and teleported away.
17 - Full Set
I’m glad you’re entertained, I said dryly. That was, after all, the main reason for this trip.
“Father?” Lirian looked at me with a frown. “How did you bring us back from so far away?”
“It’s a special priest thing,” I said. “I can teleport anywhere inside Nihilator’s zone of influence.”
She pouted. “I can only use it for a few dozen meters.”
“You’ve got the basic form of the spell,” I assured her. “The range will grow as you become more proficient with it.”
She nodded. “I will work on it. For now, I want to continue training in the arena.” Then the shadows rushed over her as she teleported away.
“Kids,” I muttered. “Can’t tell them where to go, can’t stop them from slipping through the shadows.”
I cleared my throat, feeling a little embarrassed. “Just talking to myself a little.”
I grinned as I made my way toward the door. I appreciate the vote of confidence.
I shook my head and stepped outside. That’s more like step 200. I first need to make sure the clan operates like a well-oiled machine, one that’s capable of raising and supporting a large army. We’ve still got a lot to do.
As if by magic, Kaedric appeared, coming from behind the buildings. “My lord?”
“Right on time,” I said. “Ready to continue the clan survey?”
His eyes lit up. “I am indeed, my lord.”
I took in my surroundings. Everything looked pristine. I couldn’t detect any signs of damage to the buildings. “Looks like the clan’s restorations went well.”
“They did, my lord. The builders concluded the renovations yesterday and are now back to work on the clan’s sewage system.”
“That’s good. So, what’s next on our agenda?”
“I believe we should visit the marketplace.”
“Didn’t we go there already?”
The fat mandibled hob pointed across the grassy field. “There’s been a new development since then.”
My gaze followed his finger. Several wagons that hadn’t been there a few days ago were parked outside the tentlike structure, and small figures could be seen walking around carrying crates and boxes.
“The gremlins have returned.”
***
“Yeshy?” I looked at the small gremlin with the huge wrinkly ears. I almost didn’t recognize him in his new expensive-looking outfit and spectacles.
“Dire Totem!” The gremlin’s eyes flashed toward my cougar fang necklace before he bowed deeply. “Yeshlimashu the me
rchant, at your service. Once again.”
“Glad to see you back,” I said. “Looks like you’ve done well for yourself.”
“Oh, quite so.” He grinned at me. “The profits I made by trading with your clan brought me a lot of prestige when I returned to Zemitpozes. I’m a respected merchant now, no longer just a wandering tinkerer.”
“Good to hear.” I smiled at him. “I’m glad to see my friends doing well in life.”
He puffed up his chest. “As a matter of fact, when word arrived that you were back, I managed to convince even more merchants to come with me to establish a permanent trading post. You now have a jeweler, a spice merchant, and a wine seller, on top of Anikosem and the other traders that came with me the first time around.”
“That is good news,” I said. “Good to have you back. We have about 20 travelers that will be interested in your wares and even more are expected to arrive.”
“You might find something to your liking as well,” he said. “I brought something that I thought would be of special interest to you.”
“Oh?”
“Follow me.”
The small gremlin led me to one of the stocked booths, bent down and stood back up with a wooden box about the size of a shoebox, which he placed on the counter. The box itself was made from high-quality wood and had delicate engravings on the lid. I could sense tendrils of power coming from within, somehow attracted directly to me.
Yeshlimashu opened the box and I felt my breath catch when I saw what was inside.
Dread Totem Gloves [Set]
Description: This well-crafted item is a piece of the Ritualistic set. Complete the set for the full bonus.
Type: Armor [hands]
Armor: 15
Effect: Disarm immunity.
The description was misleading in its simplicity. Disarm immunity meant that even if faced with overwhelming force, like an Outrider, as long as I survived, I’d have my weapon in hand for another round. But even more than that … I could almost feel the final piece calling out to me, wanting to complete the set. The hints of power it promised were tantalizing. I had to own it. No matter the cost.
“I see you’re interested.” The crafty gremlin’s eyes glinted mischievously. The bastard was going to milk me for all I was worth.
“How much?” I asked.
“Fifty thousand gold,” he said.
“How much?” I gaped at him. That was way too expensive. My entire clan’s treasury only amounted to about 6,000 gold.
“Ha! The look on your face. This is the price I would normally charge for such a rare piece, but since I’m only alive – and prosperous – thanks to you, please accept it as a gift.”
“That’s too expensive for a gift,” I objected halfheartedly.
The glint in his eyes returned. “Well, if you insist on repaying me, bring me something special. Something that will make all the other traders jealous. But for now, please accept this as a gift.”
With almost shaking hands, I took the gloves out of the box and put them on.
Ritualistic set completed! [4/4]
Full Set Bonus: May cast 2 spells instead of 1.
I nearly choked when I saw the description. The potential was as great as the description was simple. I had to test it. Concentrating, I cast Mana Shield and Shadow Hound in unison. A blazing screen of protective energy erupted around me, just as four dark mastiffs rose from the shadows. It was so easy! The potential was simply mind-boggling. The ability to double the number of spells I could cast at any given moment essentially doubled my firepower.
You received a new quest: A Gift for a Gift
Description: Yeshlimashu, the gremlin merchant, has gifted you a powerful magical artifact. Find something appropriate to repay his kindness. Specifically, the gremlin would like something that would ‘make all the other traders jealous.’
Reward: ???
“Thank you,” I croaked, looking at the smug gremlin. “I promise I’ll find you something equally valuable.”
He nodded back at me. “I hope you put my gift to good use.”
“Oh, I will.” A flash of a battle scene, with me surrounded by smoldering corpses, popped into my mind. My enemies will fall before me, and my monster kingdom will rise from their burned-out husks, the savage thought came unbidden to my mind. I bit my lower lip when I realized the path my train of thought was taking. Now that I knew the bloodthirsty voice was coming from me, I finally recognized it for what it was. It was me. The real me. Back outside, I was a mild-mannered geek. NEO allowed me to let loose with my innermost ambitions, uncaging my primal self. And I finally recognized it. This world was mine for the taking, and with the power of the full set behind me, I was one step closer to achieving my goal.
“It’s time we get serious,” I said, turning back to face Kaedric. “I want to step up our plans. We can sit behind the valley’s protective walls for years building up and preparing for the right moment, or we can start acting. Now.”
My usually mellow seneschal’s eyes lit up. “Yes, my lord!”
Vic said in my mind.
I changed my mind. It’s time to get serious. I need to conquer three villages to upgrade Goblin’s Gorge to the next level, and I can do that while I continue to build up the clan.
I turned to Kaedric. “How much prepared food do we have?”
“Gandork worked diligently in your absence. With the inn’s upgraded facilities, he’s produced an impressive amount of food and loaded it into the Breeder’s Den. I took the liberty of purchasing the required spices from one of the gremlins for the production of exquisite food.”
I gave him an approving nod. “Excellent.”
I opened the Settlement Interface and navigated to the Breeder’s Den section.
Breeder’s Den
Basic food available: 21,670
Advanced food available: 15,000
Exquisite food available: 450
● Goblin (Foblin): 20 basic food
● Goblin Worker: 30 basic food
● Goblin Advanced Worker: 30 basic, 20 advanced food
● Goblin Warrior: 50 basic food
● Goblin Lieutenant: 50 basic, 20 advanced food
● Goblin Crafter: 30 basic, 20 advanced food
● Goblin Advanced Crafter: 30 advanced, 20 exquisite food
● Goblin Adept: 30 advanced, 20 exquisite food
● Hobgoblin: 30 basic food
● Hobgoblin Warrior: 70 basic food
● Hobgoblin Lieutenant: 70 basic, 30 advanced food
● Kobold Assassin: 80 basic, 40 advanced food
● Hobgoblin Adept: 50 advanced, 30 exquisite food
● Hobgoblin Noble: 100 basic, 50 advanced food
● Infernal Ogre: 150 basic food
● Infernal Ogre Mage: 150 basic, 100 advanced, 50 exquisite food
I whistled. “Shadow crap, that is a lot of food.”
“A suitable amount for an army,” Kaedric said, his mandibles spread into a predatory grin. He was a hobgoblin through and through, all right.
“Why such a relatively small amount of exquisite food?”
“I’m afraid we ran out of the necessary ingredients. Our butcher can only provide 60 units of fine-cut meat per day, and we ran out of purple salt – one of the requirements for our only other exquisite food recipe.”
“That’s a problem. I need a lot more for summoning magic casters.” I opened the clan’s inventory and applied a filter to display food ingredients. We had nearly a thousand magmashrooms, but they weren’t enough on their own. At the bottom of the list was a new ingredient I hadn’t noticed before.
Glowing lichen: 150
“What about the lichen we’re receiving from the kobolds?” I asked.
“To my understanding, we have no food recipe that uses it.”
“Maybe not, but Gandork already made a special dish for me that uses it. Have him experiment with the
lichen some more to invent a new recipe. If he can’t, see if you can find one to purchase from the gremlins.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“Alright.” I rubbed my hands together. “It’s time to call for the army.”
I had a lot of ‘soldier currency’ at my disposal, but first I needed to check how many I would be able to outfit. A hob wearing nothing but a loincloth wasn’t much of a threat to anyone, after all.
Goblin’s Gorge Inventory [Weapons & Armor]
● Willow bows: 588
● Arrows: 12,060
● Hob leather armor: 670
● Hob steel brigandine: 175
● Weapons (assorted): 537
● Hob shield: 105
● Ogre leather armor: 1
● Ogre spiked mace: 1
A few weeks ago, that amount of weapons and armor would have been a treasure, but compared to my food stock it seemed underwhelming. I narrowed my eyes as I tried to come up with the numbers I could summon. I had plenty of leather armor and assorted weapons. The limiting factors were steel armor and shields, which were required to summon durable ‘tanks’ to hold up the frontlines. I was also severely lacking in the ‘Ogre wear’ department, having only one piece of armor and one weapon for the massive brutes.
I brought up the Breeder’s Den Interface and queued in 105 hob soldiers to act as my tanks and assigned them the ‘Weapon & Shield’ skill. Then I queued in 100 hobs with the Bow skill; we had enough bows and leather armor for all of them.
I checked the list again, mentally ordering the system to remove the number of items allocated to the new recruits.
Goblin’s Gorge Inventory [Weapons & Armor]
● Arrows: 12,060
● Willow bows: 488
● Hob leather armor: 570
Life Reset: Human Resource (New Era Online Book 4) Page 28